The Onychonycteris finneyi, which is the earliest bat fossil found at the moment. Its fossil was founded in Wyoming, which is a part of America in February 2008. This fossil’s discovery is so significant because it reveals the features of the original bat species. Not only that, it also proves that the original bat has the flying characteristics but not the echolocation ability that all the modern bats possesses. The Onychonycteris finneyi is about the same size compared to the vampire bat. However, what makes the Onychonycteris finneyi significant to other genus is that they have claws on all five of their fingers, whilst the modern bat species at most possesses two claws on each hand. It has a longer hind legs and shorter forearms which creates similarity with the climbing mammals that hang under the branches, for example sloths.
Taxonomy of Onychonycteris Finneyi
Diagram of Onychonycteris Finneyi
Diagram of Onychonycteris finneyi
Habitat of Onychonycteris Finneyi
Retrieved from Google map showing the distribution of O.finneyi
Similar to its ancestors of Common Vampire bat, the Onychonycteris finneyi fossil was found in Wyoming in February 2008. This fossil is the most original, in other words ancient of the two oldest known genuses in the category of bats. Scientists had estimated that this specific fossil was alive during the Eocene period which is about 53 million years ago.
Using this piece of information, we could possibly estimate the habitat and the distribution of the Onychonycteris finneyi throughout the world. As mentioned in the other page, the common vampire bat tends to locate near the area where North and South America meets. Referencing the map here, as it’s shown, that Wyoming which is located near the west of North America. So there is a certain possibility that the ancient Onychonycteris finneyi has migrated near the south through the evolution being vampire bats. So the location and distribution of the Onychonycteris finneyi would be places between Wyoming and Mexico, which are Utah, Nevada, Colorado, California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas which would be mostly likely their habitat at that time. (Of course, landmarks would be different compared to now in 20 million years time, so it wouldn’t be as accurate)
As mentioned before, is has a longer hind legs and shorter forearms, and their wings are not as developed which makes them having a slower flying speed than any modern bats. Onychonycteris finneyi’s physical characteristics shows that they spends a longer period of time on ground level compared to other bat species which indicates there’s a certainty that their diet and foot is located on ground level, however it is not confirmed professionally.
The Onychonycteris finneyi predators would be mostly similar to the modern vampire bats, however mostly would be mildly different, since the predators would mostly be the ancestors of the modern predators that kills vampire bats. Due to the active-ness of the Onychonycteris on ground level, more of its predators would be from the ground which starts to create differences between the modern genus. In conclusion, the Onychonycteris’s predators would most likely be big birds such as owls and hawks; and ground reptiles that’s in tropical forests such as reptiles like snakes such as boa constrictor.
Ancient Onychonycteris should living the similar grounds as the Common Vampire bat, this is a tropical forest where a vampire bat lives in, retrieved from http://www.pasadenaneighborhoods.com/Tropical_Forest_L.A._Arboretum.JPG
Structural Adaptations
Longer Hind Legs and shorter Forearms
As mentioned previously, one of the physical differences that differentiate the ancient Onychonycteris and the modern bats is their longer hind legs and shorter forearms. What does this indicate? This indicates that the Onychonycteris can spend a longer period of time on ground level compared to the modern bats. This structural adaptation would help it being more active on ground level since longer hind legs allow them to run faster on ground. However, this characteristic also brings disadvantages of Onychonycteris’s physical ability, which are their shorter forearms. Possessing this feature, it makes them not able to fly as fast as the modern bats, which decreases their agility in air, being an easy target for their predators (big birds such as hawks and owl) to attack them. These features tells us that the Onychonycteris has a slower flying speed compared to the modern bats, they fly in a different way like the modern ones do, they flap and glides rather than flying in the air. In addition, rather than flying from tree to tree like the modern ones does, they spend of its time climbing or hanging on branches of trees. The environment pressure for this adaptation is the fact that all of the Onychonycteris’ predators are ground animals and not able to fly so using their longer hind legs that can have a close contact to the animal. This can increase the chance for the animal to successfully consume their desired diet of blood.
Claws on all of its fingers
Another significant feature that allows the Onychonycteris to be unique from other species of bats and different from the Common Vampire Bat is their claws which is uniquely located on all of its fingers. One of the most possible reasons for these claws to develop depended on the fact that the Onychonycteris uses them most of time while it is on ground level. By possessing this unique adaptation, it helps them to grasp on tree branches and hung upside down more steadily. Also, with the claws it is easier for the Onychonycteris to pierce through their predators’ thick skin and consume the blood. The claws can also allow it to climb trees or other objects. The environment pressure is its size is at disadvantage hence its claws can help it to do daily activities at an easier pace for example hanging upside down stably and piercing through their predators’ skin with less force.
Behavioral Adaptations
Nocturnal
All modern bats were nocturnal like the Common Eel; the Onychonycteris is no difference. Firstly, during the day they would roost in dark places such as caves, or shaded areas, and abandoned buildings where they feed and breed. When the night comes, the Onychonycteris does its work, they tend to be the most active during twilight. Being nocturnal, it brings many advantages to them, because it reduces the competitive food hunting compared to daytime, whilst there’s not many others hunting or fetching food. Also, the dark protects them from being attacked by predators at night because its size and dark fur can allow it to be camouflage, decreasing the chance for it to be seen by predators. Furthermore, the temperature at night is cooler which allows the Onychonycteris to remain at a moderate body temperature. It also protects them from the burning on a hot day because bats are a species that are not very good at regulating their body temperatures. The environment pressure is the nature of survival, being in the dark the Onychonycteris has a small chance of being spotted in the dark environment and allow it to find food in an easier manner. And this may increase the chance of survival.
Mating
Mating and then producing offspring is a nature for all living organism, they do this in order to pass on their genes and keep their species from disappearing. Without exceptions the Onychonycteris also begin to mate at nine months old. The individual male bat would give out special calls to alert the females of their location, also to promote dominance and alert other males to leave them alone and go away. To start this mating process, firstly, the male would roost in the highest point of the tree and starts to send out signals that are low pitch; so low that it’s out of the human’s listening range. The use of the low pitch signal, is to allow it travel further, so more female would be aware. And hopefully a female passing by would be attracted and visit the male. It is believed that the male’s vocal range can attract the opposite sex. The environment pressure is that it is nature for animals to produce offsprings with an opposite sex in order to keep its species ongoing so an individual’s vocal range can help it to attract the opposite sex and produce more offsprings. This is crucial in order to help the species from being extinct.
Physiological Adaptation
Warm-Blooded
The Onychonycteris is classified under the mammal category and all mammals such as Earthworm are adapted to be warm blooded animals. Being a warm blooded animal, it is necessary for the animal to regulate their body temperature at a certain level in order to survive. The heat circulating around their body is converted by their main diet of blood. It helps the Onychonycteris to maintain a warm body temperature which is important especially during harsh cold weather. Being a warm blooded animal can be of great advantage because it constantly replaces the energy supplies needed by their body allowing it to obtain a great stamina and stance. Because of this, the Onychonycteris have the ability to prevent heat loss and have a ‘head-start’ in competing with cold blooded animals (cold blooded animals have to conserve heat before they can move around in cold environment) for the same food source. The environment pressure is the need for food in order to stay healthy and also the competitiveness for food source in the wild. Judging by the size of the animals, the Onychonycteris is much smaller than other cold blooded animals so being a mammal can be a great advantage.
Extinction Pressure
Till this day, there are no definite reason why did the Onychonycteris species extinct. However this species of animal lived around 53 million years ago during the Eocene period. The Earth had many drastic changes throughout this period including the continent drift causing heat to be distributed across the globe causing the temperature to generally rise. The environment then was described as ‘balmy and moist’ which did not wholly satisfy the species’ most preferable environment of ‘arid and humid’. Furthermore, at the end of the Eocene period around 33.5 million years ago, the Grande Coupure occurred which major turnover was leading to a widespread extinction for many species of animals. Also, after the Eocene period was the Oligocene period. The Oligocene period marked a new era in significance of the sudden increase of ice caps and the temperature around the globe decreased. The sudden change made it very difficult for many species of animal to adapt, and not being able to adapt quick enough led to extinction. This may be the most well- documented reason for the extinction of Onychonycteris.
The Onychonycteris finneyi, which is the earliest bat fossil found at the moment. Its fossil was founded in Wyoming, which is a part of America in February 2008. This fossil’s discovery is so significant because it reveals the features of the original bat species. Not only that, it also proves that the original bat has the flying characteristics but not the echolocation ability that all the modern bats possesses. The Onychonycteris finneyi is about the same size compared to the vampire bat. However, what makes the Onychonycteris finneyi significant to other genus is that they have claws on all five of their fingers, whilst the modern bat species at most possesses two claws on each hand. It has a longer hind legs and shorter forearms which creates similarity with the climbing mammals that hang under the branches, for example sloths.
Taxonomy of Onychonycteris Finneyi
Diagram of Onychonycteris Finneyi
Habitat of Onychonycteris Finneyi
Similar to its ancestors of Common Vampire bat, the Onychonycteris finneyi fossil was found in Wyoming in February 2008. This fossil is the most original, in other words ancient of the two oldest known genuses in the category of bats. Scientists had estimated that this specific fossil was alive during the Eocene period which is about 53 million years ago.
Using this piece of information, we could possibly estimate the habitat and the distribution of the Onychonycteris finneyi throughout the world. As mentioned in the other page, the common vampire bat tends to locate near the area where North and South America meets. Referencing the map here, as it’s shown, that Wyoming which is located near the west of North America. So there is a certain possibility that the ancient Onychonycteris finneyi has migrated near the south through the evolution being vampire bats. So the location and distribution of the Onychonycteris finneyi would be places between Wyoming and Mexico, which are Utah, Nevada, Colorado, California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas which would be mostly likely their habitat at that time. (Of course, landmarks would be different compared to now in 20 million years time, so it wouldn’t be as accurate)
As mentioned before, is has a longer hind legs and shorter forearms, and their wings are not as developed which makes them having a slower flying speed than any modern bats. Onychonycteris finneyi’s physical characteristics shows that they spends a longer period of time on ground level compared to other bat species which indicates there’s a certainty that their diet and foot is located on ground level, however it is not confirmed professionally.
The Onychonycteris finneyi predators would be mostly similar to the modern vampire bats, however mostly would be mildly different, since the predators would mostly be the ancestors of the modern predators that kills vampire bats. Due to the active-ness of the Onychonycteris on ground level, more of its predators would be from the ground which starts to create differences between the modern genus. In conclusion, the Onychonycteris’s predators would most likely be big birds such as owls and hawks; and ground reptiles that’s in tropical forests such as reptiles like snakes such as boa constrictor.
Structural Adaptations
Longer Hind Legs and shorter Forearms
As mentioned previously, one of the physical differences that differentiate the ancient Onychonycteris and the modern bats is their longer hind legs and shorter forearms. What does this indicate? This indicates that the Onychonycteris can spend a longer period of time on ground level compared to the modern bats. This structural adaptation would help it being more active on ground level since longer hind legs allow them to run faster on ground. However, this characteristic also brings disadvantages of Onychonycteris’s physical ability, which are their shorter forearms. Possessing this feature, it makes them not able to fly as fast as the modern bats, which decreases their agility in air, being an easy target for their predators (big birds such as hawks and owl) to attack them. These features tells us that the Onychonycteris has a slower flying speed compared to the modern bats, they fly in a different way like the modern ones do, they flap and glides rather than flying in the air. In addition, rather than flying from tree to tree like the modern ones does, they spend of its time climbing or hanging on branches of trees. The environment pressure for this adaptation is the fact that all of the Onychonycteris’ predators are ground animals and not able to fly so using their longer hind legs that can have a close contact to the animal. This can increase the chance for the animal to successfully consume their desired diet of blood.Claws on all of its fingers
Another significant feature that allows the Onychonycteris to be unique from other species of bats and different from the Common Vampire Bat is their claws which is uniquely located on all of its fingers. One of the most possible reasons for these claws to develop depended on the fact that the Onychonycteris uses them most of time while it is on ground level. By possessing this unique adaptation, it helps them to grasp on tree branches and hung upside down more steadily. Also, with the claws it is easier for the Onychonycteris to pierce through their predators’ thick skin and consume the blood. The claws can also allow it to climb trees or other objects. The environment pressure is its size is at disadvantage hence its claws can help it to do daily activities at an easier pace for example hanging upside down stably and piercing through their predators’ skin with less force.Behavioral Adaptations
Nocturnal
All modern bats were nocturnal like the Common Eel; the Onychonycteris is no difference. Firstly, during the day they would roost in dark places such as caves, or shaded areas, and abandoned buildings where they feed and breed. When the night comes, the Onychonycteris does its work, they tend to be the most active during twilight. Being nocturnal, it brings many advantages to them, because it reduces the competitive food hunting compared to daytime, whilst there’s not many others hunting or fetching food. Also, the dark protects them from being attacked by predators at night because its size and dark fur can allow it to be camouflage, decreasing the chance for it to be seen by predators. Furthermore, the temperature at night is cooler which allows the Onychonycteris to remain at a moderate body temperature. It also protects them from the burning on a hot day because bats are a species that are not very good at regulating their body temperatures. The environment pressure is the nature of survival, being in the dark the Onychonycteris has a small chance of being spotted in the dark environment and allow it to find food in an easier manner. And this may increase the chance of survival.Mating
Mating and then producing offspring is a nature for all living organism, they do this in order to pass on their genes and keep their species from disappearing. Without exceptions the Onychonycteris also begin to mate at nine months old. The individual male bat would give out special calls to alert the females of their location, also to promote dominance and alert other males to leave them alone and go away. To start this mating process, firstly, the male would roost in the highest point of the tree and starts to send out signals that are low pitch; so low that it’s out of the human’s listening range. The use of the low pitch signal, is to allow it travel further, so more female would be aware. And hopefully a female passing by would be attracted and visit the male. It is believed that the male’s vocal range can attract the opposite sex. The environment pressure is that it is nature for animals to produce offsprings with an opposite sex in order to keep its species ongoing so an individual’s vocal range can help it to attract the opposite sex and produce more offsprings. This is crucial in order to help the species from being extinct.Physiological Adaptation
Warm-Blooded
The Onychonycteris is classified under the mammal category and all mammals such as Earthworm are adapted to be warm blooded animals. Being a warm blooded animal, it is necessary for the animal to regulate their body temperature at a certain level in order to survive. The heat circulating around their body is converted by their main diet of blood. It helps the Onychonycteris to maintain a warm body temperature which is important especially during harsh cold weather. Being a warm blooded animal can be of great advantage because it constantly replaces the energy supplies needed by their body allowing it to obtain a great stamina and stance. Because of this, the Onychonycteris have the ability to prevent heat loss and have a ‘head-start’ in competing with cold blooded animals (cold blooded animals have to conserve heat before they can move around in cold environment) for the same food source. The environment pressure is the need for food in order to stay healthy and also the competitiveness for food source in the wild. Judging by the size of the animals, the Onychonycteris is much smaller than other cold blooded animals so being a mammal can be a great advantage.Extinction Pressure
Till this day, there are no definite reason why did the Onychonycteris species extinct. However this species of animal lived around 53 million years ago during the Eocene period. The Earth had many drastic changes throughout this period including the continent drift causing heat to be distributed across the globe causing the temperature to generally rise. The environment then was described as ‘balmy and moist’ which did not wholly satisfy the species’ most preferable environment of ‘arid and humid’. Furthermore, at the end of the Eocene period around 33.5 million years ago, the Grande Coupure occurred which major turnover was leading to a widespread extinction for many species of animals. Also, after the Eocene period was the Oligocene period. The Oligocene period marked a new era in significance of the sudden increase of ice caps and the temperature around the globe decreased. The sudden change made it very difficult for many species of animal to adapt, and not being able to adapt quick enough led to extinction. This may be the most well- documented reason for the extinction of Onychonycteris.Bibliography
Wikipedia. (2010). Onychonycteris. Retrieved July 29th, 2010 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OnychonycterisWikipedia. (2010). Wyoming. Retrieved July 29th, 2010 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wyoming
Nature. (2010). Primitive Early Eocene bat from Wyoming and the evolution of flight and echolocation. Retrieved July 29th, 2010 from http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v451/n7180/full/nature06549.html
Ars technica. (2010). Earliest bat fossil reveals transition to flight. Retrieved July 29th, 2010 from http://arstechnica.com/science/news/2008/02/earliest-bat-fossil-reveals-transition-to-flight.ars
About. (2010). Fossils Reveals Bats That Could Fly But Not Echolocate. Retrieved July 29th, 2010 from http://animals.about.com/b/2008/02/15/onychonycteris-finneyi.htm